Libreville

Libreville
Aerial view of Libreville
Coat of arms
Libreville Location in Gabon
Coordinates: 0°23′24″N 9°27′0″E / 0.39000°N 9.45000°E / 0.39000; 9.45000
Country	Gabon
Province	Estuaire Province
Capital district	Libreville
Government
• Mayor	Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda (PDG)
Population (2013 census)
• Total	703,904
Website	www.libreville.ga

Libreville is the capital and largest city of Gabon, in western central Africa. The city is a port on the Komo River, near the Gulf of Guinea, and a trade center for a timber region. As of 2013 its census population was 703,904.^[1]

History

La résidence, ca.1899

The area was inhabited by the Mpongwé tribe long before the French acquired the land in 1839.

In 1842, American missionaries from New England established a mission in Baraka, Gabon on what is now Libreville. In 1846, the Brazilian slave ship L'Elizia, carrying slaves from the Congo, was captured near Loango by the French navy which was tasked with contributing the British Blockade of Africa. Fifty-two of the freed slaves were resettled on the site of Libreville (French for "Freetown") in 1849. It was the chief port of French Equatorial Africa from 1934 to 1946 and was the central focus of the Battle of Gabon in 1940.

In 1910, French Equatorial Africa (Afrique équatoriale française, AEF) was created, and French companies were allowed to exploit the Middle Congo (modern-day Congo Brazzaville). It soon became necessary to build a railroad that would connect Brazzaville, the terminus of the river navigation on the Congo River and the Ubangui River, with the Atlantic coast. As rapids make it impossible to navigate on the Congo River past Brazzaville, and the coastal railroad terminus site had to allow for the construction of a deep-sea port, authorities chose the site of Ponta Negra instead of Libreville as originally envisaged. Construction of the Congo-Ocean Railway began in 1921, and Libreville was surpassed by the rapid growth of Pointe-Noire, farther down the coast.

Libreville was named in imitation of Freetown and grew only slowly as a trading post and a minor administrative centre to a population of 32,000 on independence in 1960. It only received its first bank branch when Bank of West Africa (BAO) opened a branch in 1930. Since independence, the city has grown rapidly and now houses nearly half the national population.

Geography

Astronaut view of Libreville.

From north to south, major districts of the city are the residential area Batterie IV, Quartier Louis (known for its nightlife), Mont-Bouët and Nombakélé (busy commercial areas), Glass (the first European settlement in Gabon), Oloumi (a major industrial area) and Lalala, a residential area. The city's port and train station on the Trans-Gabon Railway line to Franceville lie in Owendo, south of the main built-up area. Inland from these districts lie poorer residential areas. North-west of the Equatorial Guinea is where the city stands, labeling the city as a part of North-west Gabon. In terms of the country's surrounding boundaries, north is Cameroon, east is Congo, and south-east is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also rides the shores of the South Atlantic Ocean, which is on the country's west coast for reference. Additionally, in terms of aquatic geography, the Komo River passes through the city and empties into the ocean. The Komo River also stands as a potential hydroelectric source of power for the city which could generate supportive amounts of energy and power. Several city districts provide distinct and separate benefits throughout the city as well. In terms of night life, the Quartier Louis sector is most renown. One of this zone's sides includes the coast and this heavily influences the possibilities in terms of activities available in the area. Commercial areas within Libreville are housed in the Mont-Bouët and Nombakélé which feature several shopping centers and stations selling purchasable goods. Industry within the capital city is heavy in Oloumi, integrating production separately from the districts that focus upon other aspects. Finally, Lalala and Batterie IV serve as residential and housing sectors, where much of the populous are placed.^[2]

Climate

Libreville features a tropical monsoon climate with a lengthy wet season and a short dry season. Libreville's wet season spans about nine months (September through May), with a heavy amount of rain falling during these months. The city's dry season lasts from June through August and is caused by the cold Benguela Current reaching its northernmost extent and suppressing rainfall. Despite the lack of rain, Libreville remains very cloudy during this time of year.

As common with many cities with this climate, average temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the course of the year, with average high temperatures at around 29 °C (84 °F).

Transport

Libreville International Airport is the largest airport in Gabon and is located around 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) north of the city.

National Taxis operate around the city. Each district has a colour for its taxis and Libreville's is red.

The National Society of Transport (SOGATRA) just launched the new taxis that operate on a counter system.^[4]

Culture and education

The Embassy of the United States in Libreville.

Sights in Libreville include:

• the National Museum of Arts and Traditions
• the French cultural centre
• St Marie's Cathedral, seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Libreville
• the carved wood church of St Michael, Nkembo
• the Arboretum de Sibang
• two cultural villages

Libreville's main market lies in Mont-Bouët. Gabon's school of administration and school of law are in Libreville. Libreville also hosts the Omar Bongo University (est. 1970), various research institutes and a library. Alongside the Komo estuary is the Pongara National Park of 929 km². Behind Cap Esterias is Akanda National Park, famed for its large congregations of migrating waterbirds.

The city is served by Libreville Hospital.

There are several high-end international schools in Libreville, including:

• American International School of Libreville – American curriculum
• Lycée Blaise Pascal de Libreville – French curriculum
• International School of Gabon Ruban Vert – IB curriculum

Languages

Libreville is one of several African cities where French is truly becoming a native language,^[5] with some local features.

Economy

Libreville beachfront, 2009, showing a billboard for President Ali Bongo Ondimba's campaign.

The city is home to a shipbuilding industry, brewing industry, and sawmills. The city exports raw materials such as wood, rubber and cocoa from the city's main port, and the deepwater port at Owendo.^[6]

Gabon Airlines has its headquarters in Libreville.^[7] Prior to their dissolutions, both Air Gabon and Gabon Express were headquartered on the grounds of Libreville International Airport.^[8][9]

Notable residents

• Daniel Cousin, footballer who played for Larissa FC and the Gabon National Team
• Anthony Obame, Olympic silver medalist in the men's Taekwondo 80+ kg at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, footballer who plays for Borussia Dortmund and the Gabon Team^[10]
• Charles Tchen, Honorary consul for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Gabon
• Marcel Lefebvre, traditionalist Roman Catholic bishop, served as a missionary in Libreville

Gallery

• 
  Libreville, 1899
• 
  The entrance to Libreville, 1899

References

Bibliography

See also: Bibliography of the history of Libreville

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Libreville.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Libreville.

• (in French) Site officiel de la Mairie de Libreville

Coordinates: 0°23′24″N 9°27′16″E / 0.3901°N 9.4544°E / 0.3901; 9.4544